Friday’s Beer: Real Ale 15th Anniversary Ale

The first few times I had it, on draft at The Esquire, it knocked my socks off. You don’t often come across a big beer like a Russian Imperial Stout with this kind of drinkability. The drinkability comes from Real Ale using a serious addition of hops that cleanses the palate following the indulgent sweetness the malty brew provides up front.

The beer has notes of licorice, coffee and leather and is best at cellar temperature, around 50-55 degrees. Just set it out on your counter for a half hour before you drink it, if you are able to plan that far ahead.

I haven’t seen in on draft in a while, but it is available in most better beer stores in 4 packs and sometimes singles. It’s a fairly expensive four pack, priced between $12-15 in most places that I’ve seen it. It’s well worth that price, one per session is plenty.